Nation to Begin Disclosing Major Sources of Global Warming Pollution

Contact: Tony Kreindler, National Media Director, Climate, 202-445-8108, tkreindler@edf.org

(Washington, DC – September 22, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today finalized new requirements for the nation’s biggest sources of greenhouse gases to publicly disclose their annual emissions, providing the necessary foundation for effective federal policy to reduce global warming pollution.

“The public has both a need and a right to know about the country’s biggest emitters,” said Mark MacLeod, director of special projects at Environmental Defense Fund. “The transparency provided today will inform smart policy that targets the biggest sources of heat-trapping emissions.”

EPA’s greenhouse gas reporting program will apply to about 10,000 large emitters that account for the vast majority — about 80 percent — of the nation’s overall inventory of heat-trapping gases. Data collection will begin January 1, 2010, with disclosure required in the first quarter of 2011. The rules establish the first comprehensive national greenhouse gas emissions collection and reporting program.

Who’s In and Who’s Out - EPA’s rules establish a reporting threshold of 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. This threshold is tailored to encompass over 80 percent of the nation’s emissions inventory while focusing only on the largest emitters.

A 25,000 ton annual carbon dioxide threshold is comparable to the emissions from:

• 131 rail cars of coal consumed
• 58,000 barrels of oil consumed
• Emissions from the annual energy use of about 2,200 homes

This rule would not apply to churches and schools, and would not establish a “cow tax” as some have falsely claimed.

Pollutants Covered - The most dangerous global warming pollutants would be covered including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and other fluorinated gases.

Getting Started in 2010 - It is essential to begin data collection in 2010 so the nation does not lose a year of progress.

Building from State Leadership - Forty-one states are currently participating in The Climate Registry, a nationwide collaboration on the development and implementation of mandatory and voluntary greenhouse gas reporting. These state programs provide the framework to inform well-designed national policy. The Climate Registry also has over 300 members that have voluntarily committed to measure, verify, and publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions. These members include a wide range of businesses. Please see: http://www.theclimateregistry.org

Power Plant Reporting for Over a Decade - Since 1995, fossil-fuel fired power plants over 25 megawatts in size have been subject to mandatory reporting requirements for carbon dioxide emissions under the Clean Air Act. This has provided an important database of emissions for the nation’s single largest source sector.

Lessons Learned from the European Union - Through the state and federal leadership now underway in gathering data on real-world actual emissions, the United States is well-positioned to avoid the problems associated with the trial phase implementation of the European Union’s emissions trading program. In the European Union, the phase I learning period from 2005-2007 was hampered by excess allowances due to inadequate data on actual emissions.

As the U.S. Congress forges federal legislation, the new U.S. law will be implemented on the basis of a firm foundation anchored in reliable data.